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Avalanche Announce Sakic's 1-Year Contract

2:51 AM, Sep 2, 2008

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The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club have formally announced the signing of captain Joe Sakic to a one-year deal for the 2008-09 season, his 20th National Hockey League campaign and 16th straight as the franchise's captain.

"I am happy to announce the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract," said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. "Our entire organization is very excited to have Joe back for another season. As the only captain of the Avalanche, his record of achievement speaks for itself. Having him return is great for our franchise and community, but also for the game of hockey."

"Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing," said Sakic. "I'm comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I'm ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season."

Sakic, 39, enters the 2008-09 season ranked eighth on the NHLs all-time points list (1,629), 14th in goals (623) and 11th in assists (1006). Only four players have ever recorded more points with a single franchise: Gordie Howe (1809) and Steve Yzerman (1755) with Detroit, Mario Lemieux with Pittsburgh (1723) and Wayne Gretzky with Edmonton (1669). Sakic ranks seventh all-time in both playoff goals (84) and playoff points (188-tied), and holds the NHL record with eight postseason overtime goals.

Selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round (15th overall) of the 1987 Entry Draft, Sakic is the franchises all-time leader in games played (1363), goals, assists, points, power-play goals (205), short-handed goals (32) and game-winning goals (86). He has scored 30 or more goals in a franchise-record nine different seasons and has surpassed the 20-goal mark in 17 of his 19 campaigns.

Sakic completed his 19th NHL season in 2007-08, finishing fifth on the club in scoring with 40 points (13g/27a) in 44 games. His consecutive games-played streak ended at 232 after missing 38 games following hernia surgery on Dec. 28. Sakic returned to the ice on Feb. 24, registering 18 points (6g/12a) in his final 20 games of the regular season. He continued that pace into the playoffs, recording a team-high 10 points (2g/8a) in 10 playoff games.

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